[kj] (OT) Police Brutality part 2

[Brendan Quinn]

If police brutality is part of a bigger picture, then so is civilian
violence.

 

I agree but police brutality is more onerous than civilian brutality - and
judges will take this into account in their sentencing- because they are
provided enhanced powers of physical intervention (legal rights, training,
equipment, back up from thousands of other cops and civilians etc), in
return for the responsibility to defend us. Misusing that privilege to do
the opposite is especially wrong.and deserves stronger punishment (insofar
as we currently favour punishment as opposed to 'correction'). They are
letting us down more than the random idiots because they are the ones we
entrust our security to. In a lot of ways we are more vulnerable to their
misuse of power than we are to random idiots, we've got no real recourse to
resist or defend ourselves. They will just escalate the confrontation
quicker and harder than we ever can. Some of us have a chance against
randoms, no one really has a chance against the police force, right or
wrong.

 

Ever heard a cop describe the police force as the biggest gang in the
country? I have. 

 

Most of the people at the G20 conference didn't feel obliged to throw bricks
through windows or set fire to building. Anyone who can't manage that should
stay at home; they're not needed.

 

That might be a clue as to why they feel like they do and do what they do.
I'm not so much defending violent behaviour, as trying to explain it. There
was a study I was reading about recently in New Scientist that said schools
that fit a certain profile were more likely to have mass killings. The
profile included a cliquey, elitist, non-inclusive atmosphere. Again I'm not
blaming that alone for the killings, but it could have played a part.
Anti-social acts are caused by anti-social people, and there's a reason why
people are anti-social, society bears some blame for that. Like it bears
some of the blame for the systemic problems in our police forces. 

 

 

  _____  

From: gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera.net] On
Behalf Of Jim Harper
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2009 01:45
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)
Subject: Re: [kj] (OT) Police Brutality part 2

 


 

I'm not inclined to consider the opinions/message of people who see no
problem with committing acts of violence and destruction. Their message
obviously isn't terribly important to them or they wouldn't compromise it
(and the message promoted by legitimate protesters) by behaving like thugs.
Basically, the moment you decide that your personal opinion gives you the
right to trash and loot other people's property and indulge in casual
violence, you stop having anything interesting to say or the right to say
it. 

 

Most of the people at the G20 conference didn't feel obliged to throw bricks
through windows or set fire to building. Anyone who can't manage that should
stay at home; they're not needed.

 

Jim.


--- On Fri, 17/4/09, Brendan <bq at soundgardener.co.nz> wrote:

So let me get this right- the fact that I disagree with violence and
destructive behaviour is simply me thinking what the Establishment *wants*
me to think?

No...that's not my angle at all. I disagree that much focus should go on
the damage caused by a small percentage of rioters, I explained that I
think the big issue is their message(s).

I always though it was a part of my near-total dislike of violence and
destruction in any form. Well, now I know better. I'm just a tool of the
establishment.

I never said that.

I doubt you read that part of the message,

I did :)

but I'm also firmly against police brutality and firmly in favour of
people's right to protest. Guess that's also me just thinking what 'the
establishment' wants me to think.

I am against police brutality too...you're on about me calling you a drone
again. I didn't.

I think you should probably get to know me a little better before you
dismiss me as an establishment drone, thanks.

Shout the drinks and bring along your CV and three references, and you've
got a deal.

 

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